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According
to latest reports, Pakistan is contemplating skipping
ODI World Cup staged in India next year. The development has taken place after BCCI
Secretary Jay Shah announced the decision of India not travelling to Pakistan
for playing the Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday (October 18).
In the 91st
Annual General Meeting of BCCI in Mumbai, Asian Cricket Council President Shah revealed
that India is ready to participate in the continental tournament at a neutral
venue, but not Pakistan. The decision has left PCB miffed and are expected to take
a stern decision regarding this matter.
A PCB
source thinks the time has arrived for them to take decisions in the favour of
their sports infrastructure. He added that the board is also aware of the financial
implications to the ICC and ACC if Pakistan and India do not face multi-nation
tournaments.
“The PCB is
now prepared to take hard decisions and play hard ball because it is also aware
that the ICC and ACC events will have to face commercial liabilities and losses
if Pakistan does not play India in these multi-team events,” a senior PCB
source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“The PCB is
wondering in what capacity has Jay Shah given the statement that the ACC will
look to relocate the Asia Cup to UAE out of Pakistan because the hosting rights
were awarded by the executive board of the ACC, not the President,” the source
added.
The Indian
team last toured Pakistan in 2008 for playing in the Asia Cup. However, the
relations between both nations were strained after the 26/11 incident in
Mumbai. Since then, cricket fans wait for the clash between the arch-rivals in ICC
and ACC tournaments. These games are often a sellout and have a great demand
among the sponsors as well.
The ODI
World Cup will take place in India in October-November 2023, while Asia Cup will
tentatively be played in August.
(With inputs from PTI)